Do You Even Care? Your actions dictate the answer to this question.

Introduction: Let’s discuss the essence of our life as a Christian—caring for others. A.K.A—Servitude There are many false perceptions in the world around us. We must not let those false ideas keep us from being who we should be. The truth is that a Christian is to be a good person both, in the eyes of our brethren, and in the eyes of community around us.

Introduction: Romans 12:17 says we are to, “Have regard for good things in the sight of all men”. 1 Thessalonians 4:12 say we are to, “walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing”. It is important to demonstrate a desirable life for all to see. We must remember “why” this is so important.

Introduction: It is because we are trying to be effective in caring for others; with the hope of sharing the gospel with them; and sparing them from condemnation. Let’s consider this pursuit in our lesson.

Caring Enough to Care Sometimes it is a struggle to care as we should. It is so easy not to care about the plight of others around the world, or even across the street. Sometimes even in our own families there is this problem of not caring about the soul of our loved ones. When parents provide everything for their child except a spiritual background, they are causing harm to the soul of their child. Selfishness is a sin that certainly does not care about anyone or their feelings.

Caring Enough to Care And there are so many ways in which selfishness is cause to deprive others of what they need. We have to be careful not to let a person’s present actions to cloud our love for their soul. To keep this in proper perspective we must remember that God loved the world even when we were all lost in sin (John 3:16-18; Romans 5:6- 10).

Caring Enough to Care Reality for all is that they have sinned and need forgiveness; it is their only hope (Romans 3:23; 6:23). If Jesus died to give hope to sinners (Mark 2:17) who are we to be choosey with His offer of hope. We also must be careful not to allow our relationship with Christ to elevate our pride, against others.

Caring Enough to Care To keep this in proper perspective we must remember that we need forgiveness as much as anyone; We have no hope of entering Heaven without forgiveness (Revelation 21:27). We are only in this relationship of hope by the grace of God and our obedience to His plan (Ephesians 2:8-10). If continuous goodness was a standard for acceptance, where would we be? As Christians, we must be known for our caring; so that others respect us and listen (1 Timothy 4:16); so that others can be saved, too.

Caring Enough to Care Naturally this will not happen to people who live elsewhere. Our care is to be seen WHERE WE ARE, ALL THE TIME By those who meet and interact with us.

Caring Enough to Share One of the most beautiful aspects of our heavenly treasure (Matthew 6:19-21) is that we are able to share it with others in full-portion. There is nothing else in the world is like the gospel, when it comes to sharing. You cannot share your full-portion of chocolate cake, without losing your portion. However, the beauty of our hope is, that we can give a full-measure to everyone we meet for the rest of our lives and still have our measure.

Caring Enough to Share We must, however, be careful what we share. We are not sharing “the church of Christ way” of salvation—there should never be such a thing. This is a mistake that many make; thinking that all churches have their own authority to offer salvation as they see it. We must be careful to offer what we live.

Caring Enough to Share The right to determine the hope of salvation belongs to no earthly group; it is God who supplies the one true gospel message (1 Peter 1:6-9). We must share the one hope Christ’s calling (Ephesians 4:1-6); the one message of God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8- 10); and the power of God to salvation (Romans 1:16).

Caring Enough to Share As Christians, we must be known for our sharing. So that others will have the true hope God’s salvation (1 Thessalonians 1:6-9). So that others can be saved, too. The Worst Hate Crime: Is to not warn of impending danger; especially the soul heading towards Hell.

Caring Enough to Want Them Spared Why does it matter anyway? All of this care, all of this sharing, what it is for? The answer is found in understanding what will happen to the souls of our fellow-man if we do not care for them enough to share with them the gospel. Without the forgiveness of their sins they will be separated from God (Romans 6:23a). Without obedience to God’s plan they will not be prepared for their life’s end (Hebrews 9:27) or the end of this world (2 Peter 3:9-11).

Caring Enough to Want Them Spared Let’s consider our answer based on the one piece of information that we have actually received from the other side of the grave (Luke 16:24-31). The man in torment desperately wanted his brothers warned so that would not end up where he was. With our care for our fellow man, and our willingness to share the one true gospel with them, we can spare them from everlasting condemnation (Matthew 25:46a) in that place for the unprepared, away from all that is good (Matthew 25:30).

Caring Enough to Want Them Spared We can spare them from the place of torment: unquenchable flame and unyielding worms (Mark 9:45-48). Hell is an everlasting place of abode for those who do not want to be with God (Hebrews 12:25). Yet once they get there, they will want to be with God, but there will be no hope of that.

Caring Enough to Want Them Spared As Christians, we must be known for our desire for others to be spared from condemnation. So that others will be spared, by seeking forgiveness (Ephesians 1:6-8). So that others will be saved. I’m sure many will express regret on their deathbed that they did not serve God like they should have.

Conclusion: We, as Christians, have responsibilities, that will always “ring true”. We must be the kind of people who care for the souls of our fellow-man; share the one true gospel with them; and strive to see them spared from condemnation, through their obedience. If we are not willing to meet the needs of mankind we keep their only hope away from them. Souls who do not obey the gospel will not be saved. Can you honestly say, you care about the lost?